How to make a sock puppet come to life
The Court Theatre’s latest show has plenty for children to giggle about – and the cast also plan to air the naughty jokes that naturally arise with a bonus adults-only affair. Tatiana Gibbs reports
Most are familiar with the feeling of losing a sock but what happens to its mate – the duo reduced to uno – when its partner magically disappears? Country singing boots, a pair of dirty undies with a sour attitude, and a big fear of the washing machine, are all obstacles Jo the sock has to overcome in the Court Theatre’s latest show, The Lost Sock.
In time for the school holidays, the puppet musical first takes to the stage tomorrow. It will finish its two-week schedule with a one-off adults-only edition to air the naughty jokes that naturally come to the cast during rehearsals.
But it takes more than a voice to bring a sock to life, according to puppeteer Rebekah Head, who trained with Peter Linz – the current Ernie on renowned children’s show Sesame Street.
The importance of finding its breath and giving it a sense of gravity were key, she explained.
It’s an art form that performer and former What Now presenter Stella Maris had to learn as the show’s narrator and part of the cast of four. “I don’t think people realise just how much thought goes into bringing something to life – specifically, like the breath of an object is really interesting to find,” Maris said.
Her puppet – Jessie the jumper – is the largest of all the characters, meaning she was going to have “the muscliest hand by the time we do closing night”, she joked.
Christchurch’s run of shows, presented by Tusk Puppets, will be the largest scale version of the show yet.
It has been performed once before in Christchurch, at Good Times Comedy Club, and in New Plymouth, but the newest version featuring 15 puppets will have the puppeteers visible on stage for the first time.
“Ultimately the show is about friendship,” Head said.
Because there are so many characters, each with their own unique strong personalities, “there's a friend for everyone” in the audience to resonate with.
“There’s so much detail to puppetry if you dive that deep into it, it’s really fun,” she said.
The regular show is recommended for children aged 5 to 9 and the uncensored adults-only performance (April 27) will have a fresh take on the children’s story.
Tickets are available from the Court Theatre’s website.